Media Release

A 61-year-old Kapaʻau woman died Friday (March 9) from injuries she sustained in a one-vehicle crash on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) at the 9-mile marker in the South Kohala District.

The driver was identified as Raylene H. Kawaiaea of a Kapaʻau address.

Responding to a 2:28 p.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that Kawaiaea was operating a 2006 Toyota pickup truck and traveling south on Kohala Mountain Road when she lost control of the vehicle, crossed the centerline and struck a tree.

Kawaiaea was wearing a seat belt.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed may have played a factor in this crash. It was also reported that there was heavy fog in the area.

Kawaiaea was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:47 p.m.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This is is the seventhtraffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with five at this time last year.